The recent announcement from India’s Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) to approve a 12GW solar scheme for central public sector undertakings (CPSUs) – crucially mandating the use of domestically sourced solar cells and modules – represents the first key step towards India finally creating a route to stimulate multi-GW expansions for new cell and module facilities.
Pakistan’s attempt to support manufacturing of solar and wind energy components through a five-year tax exemption is not enough and more incentives are needed to encourage such investments in the south Asian nation, according to the director of a local firm that is planning to set up its own domestic solar module assembly production facility.
Integrated PV module manufacturer REC Group has said it invested US$150 million in developing and rolling out into volume production a new N-type monocrystalline-based heterojunction (HJ) cell that will use Meyer Burgers ‘SmartWire’ (SWCT) cell connection technology.
US-headquartered high-efficiency solar panel manufacturer SunPower Corp has started ramping production at its first volume manufacturing plant in Oregon, USA.
‘Solar Module Super League’ (SMSL) member Canadian Solar has surprised with an upwardly revised PV module shipment forecast for the fourth quarter of 2018.
Leading PV manufacturing equipment supplier Meyer Burger has sold its photovoltaic, semiconductor and sapphire wafering business to Precision Surfacing Solutions for CHF 50 million (US$49.8 million) in cash.
ROTH Capital Partners has become increasingly bullish on a strong rebound in global solar demand in 2019, led by competitive pricing dynamics with other energy sources and increasing optimism that China will provide good subsidy support for solar in 2019 and onwards.
